April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, a time to recognize JFS volunteers of all ages and life stages who unselfishly give their time, energy, and heart to support the mission of JFS.
“Volunteers enable JFS to provide services that address food insecurity, promote the social and emotional well-being of clients,
and foster connections to the Jewish community. I am eternally grateful to work alongside this dynamic group of individuals,”
says Jennifer Oxfeld, JFS Volunteer Coordinator.
Starting at a young age, community members get involved through our partnership with the Jewish Day School. Every fall, Morah Alicia Zahn’s kindergartners collect tzedakah to donate to the food pantry. “I love visiting the classroom to read a book about food insecurity and teach students that everyone needs help at some point in their lives. JFS is always here to help,” says Jennifer.
Students who are preparing for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah create personalized mitzvah projects to benefit families served by the
Community Food Pantry. Mitzvah projects have included toiletry drives, Birthday in a Bag projects, and pet food drives.
JFS partners with local colleges to support the agency through curated projects. Under the leadership of Rabbi Steven Nathan, Lehigh University Hillel students bake cookies and hamantaschen to be delivered with Mazel Meals. Lafayette College Hillel supports the Send-a-Card program. The students at Muhlenberg Hillel assembled holiday packages for distribution to older adults and Muhlenberg’s students from the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils collectively donate thousands of cans each year through the Greek Week Canstruction project.
Many JFS volunteers are retirees who are vibrant and dedicated to giving back to the Jewish community. Their impact is felt across the agency, whether they are unloading deliveries and assisting clients in the Community Food Pantry or ensuring that
Jewish life continues for older adults in long-term care residences through Shabbat and holiday programs. For those who serve
as drivers through the ShareCare Faith in Action partnership, the work is about more than logistics. “I’ve seen firsthand how much it means to someone just to get out of the house and spend time with their peers,” says volunteer driver Abby Trachtman. “It’s more than a ride; it’s a connection that really changes their day.”
Thank you to all the volunteers who help extend the scope and reach of our services and programs.
For more information about volunteering, please contact Jennifer Oxfeld, at volunteer@jfslv.org or visit jfslv.org/volunteers
Featured in Hakol April 2026